OSHA Requirements for Offices

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been a very large part of employee safety and health for nearly half a century. OSHA requirements for offices are less complex than for the manufacturing industry, but they still need to be met and are monitored by OSHA. Common issues that OSHA is involved in offices include fire hazards, structural integrity, illumination, temperature and health safety protocols. OSHA ensures a safe working environment for the America work force.

Fire hazards

OSHA is involved in ensuring that office spaces are properly equipped with fire hazard equipment. OSHA checks the placement and age of fire fighting equipment and sprinkler systems. OSHA takes fire drill times and other data into account when reviewing an office's fire safety rating. Alarm systems are another point that many OSHA inspections review for efficiency and effectiveness. By ensuring that offices have effective alarm and firefighting systems, OSHA can ensure that offices are properly equipped to handle fires.

Structural integrity

While it is very uncommon for these types of violations to be an issue, OSHA does inspect the structural integrity of office buildings for violations. It inspects for walls and ceilings that are structurally unsound along with flooring hazards and loose window panes. Many older buildings may be inspected on many levels to ensure that the building is safe for operation. OSHA ensures that buildings are safe to work in and do not pose any immediate or future dangers to employees.

Illumination

Illumination issues are commonly inspected and graded by OSHA. Poor or insufficient lighting has been found to lead to eyesight problems and other disorders with employees. OSHA inspects the lighting quality along with the source type for office spaces, bathrooms, hallways and lobbies. Proper lighting systems and maintenance are required in order to pass inspections.

Temperature

Offices are required to keep the working environment within a particular temperature range depending on the field of work. Offices that work in conjunction with the health industry have lower required temperatures. Temperature requirements are monitored by OSHA and air-conditioning units and heating are inspected for functionality.

Health Safety Protocols

Health safety protocols are inspected and graded for offices. Depending on the size of the office space, many offices are required to have defibrillation packages and basic first aid kits on site. Many offices also pay for some of their employees to attend CPR and basic first aid administration classes. Health protocols are required by OSHA to protect the health needs of employees and reduce preventable casualties.

References

About the Author

Brenda Priddy has more than 10 years of crafting and design experience, as well as more than six years of professional writing experience. Her work appears in online publications such as Donna Rae at Home, Five Minutes for Going Green and Daily Mayo. Priddy also writes for Archstone Business Solutions and holds an Associate of Arts in English from McLennan Community College.

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